I started with an older sheet of Basic Grey's "Lucille" paper, and cut up some pieces to collage together with Prima Clear Gesso. Then I sprayed it with some LSG sprays (Cotton Candy Pink, Hottie Patottie Hot Pink, and Black Orchid Silver). After distressing the edges, I machine stitched them with a black zigzag. For the design elements, I took my inspiration from sketch #135 from As You See It, making it vertical and foregoing the striped background.Instead I used the stripes for the banner with my sentiment.

The mannequin was embossed with Ranger's Fine Silver Embossing Powder, and colored with Distress Spray Stain (Brushed Pewter). Then I added the skirt and corset that I made out of black lace and pink organza, stitching the sides of the corset to give it some shape, and hand-stitching the lacing up front. It was SEW fun to make!

The sewing machine, scissors, and sentiment were embossed with Ranger's Fine Black Embossing Powder, and the sewing machine and scissors were also colored with Distress Spray Stain (Brushed Pewter). Behind the sentiment banner, which was machine stitched in silver, I rubbed some Inka Gold in Platinum. Even though both stamps include buttons, I decided to add some real ones for a little dimension.

Friday, May 20, 2016

I had so much fun with some mixed media to create this card for my husband! My California guy loves the beach, so I started with some watercolor paper and applied gesso with TCW "Texurized" stencil to make my ocean. Then I placed a piece of Artist's Tape along the top to keep it free from all of the various mists and LSG sprays that I used to make the ocean and sand. After removing the tape, I used Distress Inks to color the sky, and some water to create clouds. Then I used the same stencil with some brown ink to make the rocks in the water. Once dry I applied some clear gesso for texture, and used some more inks over it. Then to make reflections in the water, I used the same stencil again, turned upside down, and inked in a dark blue right below the rocks. I also used Clear Wink Of Stella over the reflections to give it a little shimmer, which is kinda hard to see here.

The seaweed was stamped with the Under The Sea stamp set from Red Rubber Designs, colored with Distress Inks, and given some sparkle with Clear Wink Of Stella. Then I machine stitched around the edges, and added some fiber which I also colored with sprays to match the seaweed. For some sandy texture on the shore, I used Distress Embossing Powder (Brushed Corduroy), which is a GREAT sand color, then scattered and glued the little seashells.

To the base of my card I added layers of mulberry papers, which I haven't used in YEARS! But I love the look of the torn edges, and the colors were perfect for my image! Before adding my image though, I used my new TCW Stencil "Nautical Chains" to mask the netting on the right with dark brown ink, then Distress Embossing Powder "Brushed Corduroy" again. Then on the bottom left corner I used white embossing powder with the So Splattered Cling Mounted Stamp.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Sympathy cards are never easy to make, but I found the Abounding Rose Cling Mounted Stamp from Red Rubber Designs to be so serene and perfect for the occasion! After embossing the image, I colored it in with watercolors, used Distress Spray (Brushed Pewter) to color the frame, and popped it up for some dimension.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

I started this card by making some confetti on the background of the "cheers" paper that comes in the 12 X 12 Collection Pack using a stencil for the dots with gesso and Glitter Paste (Pink Punch). For the smaller dots, I used a stylus with Prima Clear Gesso colored with some Distress Inks. Then I attached the candle sticker and cupcake tag, layering the Celebrate Laser Cut Chipboard on top. To mimic the frosting on the cupcake, I applied some gesso to it, and sprinkled on some glitter while it was still wet. For a little sparkle on the cupcake I used Clear Wink Of Stella, which I also used on the Chipboard balloons, in addition to some Stickles (Yellow, Eucalyptus, and Diamond).

Then I hand-stitched the balloon strings, and finished it off with a Brad. Have fun celebrating, and check out the FotoBella Blog for some more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team!